Chapter 99: Chapter Ninety Nine:"I don’t like it anymore "
With Alicia, Alexander, and Lilian all involved, the internet was set ablaze.
Discussions spread rapidly across platforms, drawing in waves of curious onlookers.
People weren’t just waiting for the launch event—
They were waiting for them.
For Alicia and Lilian.
As the brand director and the official spokesperson, the two were bound to appear on the sa stage during the final segnt of the event.
And that alone was enough to ignite speculation.
"The ’real girlfriend’ and the so-called ’mistress’ on the sa stage? This is going to be interesting."
"No way I’m missing this."
"This is basically a live drama."
The anticipation only grew stronger.
Inside the company, tension lingered beneath the surface.
The assistant scrolled through the trending topics, his brows furrowed.
"Is this really okay?"
A colleague glanced over and gave a small shrug.
"It’ll be fine. Director Alicia must have her reasons."
And she did.
The rumors circulating online hadn’t been entirely accidental.
Alicia had quietly arranged for a few clickbait accounts to push the narrative further—just enough to keep the topic alive without losing control of it.
Her na was still trending.
Even the negative attention worked in her favor.
As long as people were watching, ??clat Beauty remained at the center of the conversation.
With Alexander’s influence and Lilian’s star power added into the mix—
The event had already reached peak visibility before it had even begun.
All that was left now...
Was the stage.
And the mont it would begin.
Alicia’s POV
??The day before the press conference, Alexander sent
a ssage before work ended.
"Wait for . We’ll go ho together tonight."
I replied with a simple: Okay.
After work, I stayed a little longer in the office before ssaging him again, letting him know I’d wait in the car.
I headed down to the basent first and settled into the backseat, absentmindedly scrolling through my phone.
About ten minutes later, Alexander appeared in the underground garage.
He opened the door and got in beside .
"Let’s go," he said to Jim.
The car pulled out smoothly.
After a mont, Alexander turned to look at .
"I heard Miss Eva is ill."
"Mm. She fell sick a couple of days ago and is still in the hospital. I visited her yesterday," I replied.
His gaze lingered on .
"You really plan to attend tomorrow’s press conference by yourself?"
He must have seen the trending topics.
And recognized my work behind them.
I t his eyes calmly.
"Is that a problem?"
"No," he said after a beat. "As long as you’re not scared."
I let out a soft breath.
"I’m not."
I didn’t enjoy being in front of caras. I didn’t like the attention.
But that didn’t an I was afraid.
My father had stood in front of crowds his entire life, asking questions no one else dared to ask.
If he could do it—
So could I.
Alexander reached for my hand and gave it a light squeeze.
"It’s alright. You’ve got ."
I glanced down at our joined hands.
For a mont, his concern felt... gentle.
Protective.
Almost—
Like he didn’t quite realize I didn’t need protecting.
The press conference was scheduled to go live at 2 PM on September 7th, with two rehearsals arranged for the morning.
I arrived early at the venue, going over the process with the team and making sure everything was in place down to the smallest detail. Every possible issue had to be anticipated—every backup plan prepared.
"Director Alicia, Miss Lilian has arrived. She’s over there," the assistant said.
I glanced toward the entrance.
Lilian stood by the door, poised and elegant as always.
"Have her start the rehearsal," I said calmly.
But before the assistant could move, Lilian walked over.
She stopped in front of
and held out a paper bag.
"Alicia, I passed by the bakery on my way here," she said lightly. "I brought you so chocolate cookies."
My gaze dropped to the bag.
For a brief mont, sothing flickered in my eyes—
Then disappeared.
So this was her move.
I let out a soft breath, a faint smile forming on my lips.
"Miss Lilian likes these too, doesn’t she?" I said mildly. "I wouldn’t dare take soone else’s favorite."
Lilian’s expression didn’t change.
"I bought them for you," she replied.
I didn’t respond.
Instead, I turned to the assistant.
"Take Miss Lilian to rehearsal."
The studio was crowded, staff moving in and out. There was no room for further exchange.
But just as Lilian turned to leave, her voice drifted back—
"Don’t forget to eat them."
Her tone was light.
Almost teasing.
...
At that mont, Alexander walked into the studio.
Lilian imdiately lifted her hand and waved.
"Alexander, I’m here."
He looked over and walked toward us without hesitation.
His gaze moved between the two of us.
"What were you talking about?"
"Nothing."
We answered at the sa ti.
A brief pause followed.
Lilian, shot
a quick look, biting her lip.
Lilian spoke first.
"I just brought Alicia so chocolate cookies on my way here."
Then, turning slightly toward , she added,
"It’s just a small gesture. If you don’t like it, you can ignore it."
Alexander’s eyes fell on the bag still in her hand.
"Just take it," he said casually. "It’s only cookies. A small gesture from Lilian."
Lilian looked at
expectantly.
At first, just seeing her was enough to disgust .
But after hearing Alexander’s words—
A wave of nausea rose in my chest.
Lilian had always liked to play the "good one."
As if she were making up for sothing.
As if that made everything acceptable.
It was laughable.
To call her "good" was an insult to the word itself.
Seeing that I didn’t respond, Lilian pressed on, her tone soft.
"Alicia, I know you’re still upset with ... If you don’t want it, just give it back. I’ll throw it away."
As she spoke, she made a move to take the bag back.
I looked at her.
Then, without expression, reached out and took it first.
"Fine. I’ll keep it. You should go rehearse."
There were too many people around.
Staff. Assistants.
Security caras.
If I refused outright, it would only take a few minutes for the footage to appear online—
And sohow, I would beco the one in the wrong.
Lilian’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.
"Thank you, Alicia."
She turned to Alexander, her tone light.
"I’ll head to rehearsal now. Don’t forget to make sure Alicia eats the cookies."
With that, she left.
...
I placed the bag casually on the table, as if it ant nothing, and turned to go.
"Alicia."
I paused.
"You’ve been busy. Sit down for a bit," Alexander said. "Have your cookies while you’re at it."
Before I could respond, he had already taken the box out of the bag, opening it carefully and placing it in front of .
Every movent was gentle.
Attentive.
As if he were doing sothing important.
As if—
He were simply following what Lilian had asked of him.
My fingers tightened slightly.
"Didn’t you used to like these?" Alexander said, noticing my hesitation. "Or are you still upset with Lilian?"
I didn’t answer.
Instead, I picked up a piece.
Brought it to my lips.
Took a bite.
The taste was exactly the sa as before.
Sweet.
Soft.
Familiar.
But this ti—
It felt unbearably bitter.
My stomach churned.
"Ugh—"
I suddenly stood up, covering my mouth as I hurried toward the trash can by the door.
I bent over, my body tightening as I dry-heaved.
Nothing ca out—
But the nausea wouldn’t stop.
Alexander was already beside .
He placed a hand on my back, his brows drawn together.
"Are you okay? Is your stomach acting up again?"
I didn’t answer imdiately.
After a mont, I straightened, taking the tissue he handed
and wiping my lips.
My voice was steady when I finally spoke.
"...Don’t buy this for
again."
I paused.
Then added quietly—
"I don’t like it anymore."
Reviews
All reviews (0)